The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-03-31
Tobacco and T. nit Brandies.

er lights, have been eXhansting whole job
fonts in trying to prove that the last Con-
gress actually proposed to reduce the tax
on tobacco and fruit brandies. 1t seems
almost cruel TO disproye this single claim
to credit made in behalf Of the Democrat
ic House, but the truth must be told and |
the record exposed.
The State declares "On March Sd !
Carlisle recognized Mr. Henderson, OF |
North Carolina. who offered his resolution !
relieving the tobacco grower OF the tax
on leaf tobacco and making the restric-
lions upon the manufacture OF distilled
spirits and fruit brandy less rigid. When
the resolution was submitted to the House
Two hundred and fifty. one votes were cast,
as follows
For the resolution Democrats, 13l: Re-
pablicans, 9.
Against the resolution: Democrats, s
Republicans, l07."
1t adds:
LET every Democrat keep these figures
in readiness fer Republicans who howl
ab)nt Internal Revenue"
In order to a clear understanding OF the
basis Of the claim set up by our cotempo-
ry.t is necessary toreyiew som ewha5 thu
history of Internal Revenue legislation by
the 10Th Congress. 1t isan Instructive record
and should be kept Sin readiness for Re
public ms who howl about Internal Rev
enue.n
Upon the organization Of the 49th Con-
gress, by the unanimous vote OF the Dem
ocratic members, who constituted ma
jol ity Of 43 in the whole House, John G.
Carlisle, pronounced free trader, friend
Of the Internal Revenue system and enc
my of the Blair bill, was elected Speaker.
He appointed all of the committees and
so constituted them that it would be al
most impossible to secure legislation not
in accord With his views. Although some
OF the Southern Democratic members, and
particularly those from Virginia, had Sc
cured their election by a dens,nciati0n of
the "I.fernal'' system and the positive
promise to repeal it, should their party Sc
cure control OF Congress and the admins
traitor, yet no sooner were they Installed
III office than they prepared to violate
every pledge made-eyery assurance given.
Mr. Carlisle S election was the first step
i'll the direction indicated, They knew
and the world knew that the control of
the nation had been bestowed upon the
Democratic party by combination OF She
free trade interests of New I ork and the
whiskey interests of the West. They
knew that the election of Carlisle would
place the House in full accord with the
Executive and with the elements which
made the Administration Aud with this
knowledge with their eyes vide open, the
members who were pledged against the
Internal Revenue, deliberately abandoned
the position taken in the canvass, and to
obtain favor with the powers that be. ?"
elevated to a controlling position, and with
one voice. the man who was the declared,
acknowledged, unehallenged champion of
the obnoXi Gus system.
The result WIS rs every political student
expected. No real effort was made by q
member of the majority to disturb the ex,
isting tax, and when the motion came from
a Republican it was promptly ignored. and
no opportunity whatever given to press
the question to a vote
Nearly two years went by ard the syS
tenn still remained unchanged. The MUIR
murs Of the people were distinct Oh every
side. The demand went up foE a redemp-
tion Of the promise given from every to
bacco district of the Union. In Virginia
the very thurders were heard. When the
storm cleared the wreck Of the Demo
cratic party strewed the strand. In Ken
lucky and other tobacco States the result
emphasized the popular condemnation of
Congress and it's work. The alarm of
Southern members became manifest. The
promises long forgotten began to haunt
them.
Recogniz;n g the fact that they were then
powerless to redeem tAe pledges given, they
resorted to the old tactics Of deception. The
attempt was made TO shift the responsible
ity from their shoulders to the shoulders
of the man in whose hands they had placed
almost absolute power. The famous COR
respondence between Carlisle and the
other wing resulted Randall. Cabell
and others intimated in q conference that
they desired to propose IA bill for the re-
duction Of the revenue, including the abo-
}ition Of the tax on tobacco, and a letter
was addressed to the Speaker covering
that proposition. His "mightiness" re
Piled that the majority proposed to strike
out of the bill all provisions abolisling
the internal revenue tax on manufac-
tured tobacco, snuff and cigars, weiss
beer. fruit bran0ies, and reducing the tax
ON d,ctiito4 cniritc rro,,, On IA en- oaptc nor
gallon, and the provision abolisbing the
tax on Alcohol for use in the arts and man.
ufactures. lie also expressed willing.
ness to submit the measure 10 the Demo
cratic caucus, 'sall parties to be bound by
such action as it may take npon the sub
sect to which this Bill relates.''
On tie 18Th of February, Messrs. Wise
Henderson and Randall addressed another
communication to the Speaker appealing
to him to recognize q Democrat VINO will
move to suspend the rules for the purpose
Of giving the House an opportunity Of
considering the question Of the total re
peal of the internal revenue tax on stobac
CO." And adding:
''lNany Republicans. are hare reason 10 believe
ore UflTtOetS 70 maze Stcii q EsCttcH, OF
Republican to make such Blotion would give
che Republican party all the credit acernine
Sherefrom and would almost certainly cause
the loss to the Democracy of not less than two
Southern states atthe general election in 1885,
Here then is the absolute confession
from Mr.. Henderson himself and those
who acted with HIN. that the Republicans
would abolish the tobacco tax if the OPP
portunity were given them that when
there was any possible chance of secul ing
the reEeal Of the law, the Republicans
would be found ready to meet the wishes
of..the people. 1t is a further confession
of the insireerity of that wing of the
Democratic! party which professed to de-
sire the repeal. They knew they were
powerless to carry out their avowed pur
pose. ana were unwilling that those who
alone could do SO, should have the priyi-
iege.
Speaker Carlisle declined tc give the re
cognition, and ON the 8th of February